Where is the Start menu?

Applies to Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1

Open Start by swiping in from the right edge of the screen and then tapping Start. (Or, if you're using a mouse, point to the lower-left corner of the screen, move your mouse all the way into the corner, and then click Start.)

Here are a few more ways to get to Start:

Press the Windows key on your keyboard.

If you're using a mouse, you can point to the lower-left corner of the screen and click the Start button wherever you are in Windows.

If you're on the desktop, tap or click the Start button .

Tip

If you're on the Start screen, you can use the Start charm or the Start button to go back to the last app you were in.

All of your apps — the apps you install from the Windows Store and desktop apps—are available in the Apps view on the Start screen. To get to the Apps view, swipe up from the middle of the screen or click the arrow button . You can pin apps to Start to easily access what you use most, and you can also pin websites and contacts.

To pin an app to Start

Open Start by swiping in from the right edge of the screen and then tapping Start. (Or, if you're using a mouse, point to the lower-left corner of the screen, move your mouse all the way into the corner, and then click Start.)

Swipe up from the middle of the screen to go to the Apps view. (If you're using a mouse, click the arrow button in the lower–left corner of the screen to go to the Apps view.)

In the Apps view, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and tap Customize. (If you're using a mouse, right-click an empty space on the screen and click Customize.)

Browse to the app you want to pin and tap it or right-click it to select it.

Tap or click Pin to Start.

To pin a website

Open a browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer.

In Internet Explorer, go to the website you want to pin and swipe up from the bottom of the screen or right-click anywhere to open the address bar.

On the address bar, tap or click the Favorites button, and then tap or click the Pin site button. The tile is added at the far side of Start.

Note

Some browsers might have different steps or might not support pinning items to Start. For more info, check Help for the browser.

To pin a contact or page you use frequently

Open the app you want to use, such as the People app.

Select the item you want to pin to Start.

Tap or click Pin to Start.

Enter a name or short description, and then tap or click Pin to Start. The tile is added at the far side of Start.

Note

Some apps might have different steps or might not support pinning items to Start. For more info, check Help for the app.

To boot to the desktop instead of Start

You can go to the desktop instead of the Start screen whenever you sign in to your PC.

Open Taskbar and Navigation properties by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering Taskbar in the search box, and then tapping or clicking Taskbar and Navigation in the results.

Tap or click the Navigation tab, and then select the When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start check box.

Tap or click OK.

Note

To go to Start when you sign in, clear the When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start check box and tap or click OK.